The Pagan holidays, called Sabbats, are
seasonal celebrations representing birth, death and rebirth. These
celebrations are a means to attune the physical human mind, body and
spirit with the flow of natures' energy and the essence of the
God/Goddess. It is a bonding, a time to recognize the aspects of the
season within yourself. "To become one with nature" is a common
metaphor for the overall purpose and intent of these holidays.

Most Pagans believe that by
joining forces with the natural forces around us, we bring harmony,
balance and order to our physical existence. These are necessary
aspects of life for positive change and to create an atmosphere for
spiritual learning and growth.

There are eight Sabbats observed during the
Pagan calendar. All Sabbat ceremonies begin at sundown on the eve of
the dates given and continue to sundown. You might want to start
carrying a special calendar around with you to mark the moon phases and
holidays for the year. Give yourself enough time to go shopping for any
supplies you might want to use during your festival rituals.

The Festival Dates & Times

If the original intent of the Sabbats is to
create a union for a harmonious flow of energy, then the dates we've
become accustomed to here in the North would be at odds with practicing
practioners in the Southern Hemisphere.

Let's take Bealtaine as an example. Bealtaine
is the last of the spring fertility Sabbats, and is commonly celebrated
on May 5th. But if you're practicing in Australia, May is not the
season for spring. Conducting rituals and ceremonies to create a flow
of harmonious energy at a time when your ritual is at odds with the
season you're in, can create discord rather than a natural flow.

Rather than rely on the common calendar dates
for celebrating your Sabbats, you should adjust the following dates to
coincide with your hemispheres seasonal changes. For those of you in
the south check out the High Holy
Days Calendar for the Southern Hemisphere.

Festivals or ceremonies for the High Holy days
are begun at sunset on the eve of the Sabbat. October 31st is often
seen as the day of Samhain, however, Samhain is held on November 1st.
So where does the confusion set in for the dates of the festivals?
Mainly because celebrations for the festivals begin at sunset on the
night before the Sabbat.

Why are the holidays begun on the night before?
The early calendars were based on lunar cycles, not solar cycles. A day
did not begin at midnight or with the sunrise, but rather with the
night and moon rise. To the ancient pagans, night fall was the
beginning of the new day. Many other religions continue the practice of
evening festivities to this day as well. Judaism comes to mind. So this
isn't just a pagan thing.

The Pagan High Festivals

The following is a brief explanation of each of
the solar holidays. The are the eight standard holidays which are
usually linked to the sun deity or the God force. That doesn't mean you
can't honor the Goddess on a solar holiday. Rituals for the standard
Sabbats have been designed to honor both aspects of the God/Goddess to
represent the balance and harmonious union of the "whole".

The Esbat festivals on the other hand, honor
the Goddess and the moon deity. But as with the Sabbats, both God and
Goddess essences can be celebrated during either set of festivals.

This is a high level generic description of
the Sabbats. For further detailed information you will need to return
to the Witchcraft & Shamanism menu and chose the tradition we
have listed from the menu and review those postings. Each Sabbat is
celebrated slightly different from tradition to tradition. Because of
this, I have tried to give information for the rituals based on Celtic,
Wiccan and Norse practices.

The Sabbats

1. Yule - {The Winter solstice}
Dec. 20th to Jan. 1st.

American and Celtic traditions ~ Yuletide

Caledonii tradition ~ Alban Arthan

Pecti-Wita traditions ~ Feill Fionnain

The real "12 Days of Christmas", Yule begins on
"Mothers Night" and ends 12 days later on "Yule Night". Typically
starting on the 20th or 21st of December to December 31st.Yule is a
time when the waxing sun overcomes the waning sun. The Holly King which
represents the death aspect of God, is overcome by the Oak King who
represents the rebirth of the God. It is the time when an individual
concludes the chapter of their life for the year and prepares for the
rebirth of the New Year's lessons and opportunities.

Celebrations vary from tradition to tradition,
but there are some similarities that most people will probably
recognize. Dark red or Bayberry candles are used to decorate the home
and ensure wealth and happiness for the coming year. Many practioners
will place the candles as a centerpiece on their dining table and allow
it to burn until it extinguishes by itself. A set of candles can also
be placed on the mantle and lit at the beginning of the Yule ceremony.

The festival is associated with fire, and the
Yule log. The fire is the tool that returns all to it's beginnings,
"ashes to ashes". And prepares the soul for rebirth, the "rise of the
Phoenix from the ashes".

The season is also represented by the colors
red (for the fire) and green (for the rebirth) process. The season
includes the cutting of the Yule tree, decorating the home with a holy
wreath (natures red and green bush) and decorating special cookies for
celebrating the sweet joys of the year past and the sweetness for the
year to come.

Finally the season includes the reindeer stag
to represent the horned God, the Pagan God of death and the final
chapter of the year.

2. Imbolg
February 1st or 2nd

American tradition ~ Candlemas

Caledoni traditions ~ Imbolgc Brigantia

Celtic traditions ~ Imbolg

Mexican Craft ~ Candelaria

Strega traditions ~ Lupercus

Teutonic traditions ~ Disting

Imbolg is the first of the Spring holidays that
ring in the festivals for fertility. Imbolg is the celebration of
things yet to be born for the new year. Those things that are hidden
under winters last snows. It is a time for preparation. Look over your
supplies for the coming year and make a list of what you might need. It
is a time to take stock.

For this festival, lavender and white candles
are burned to represent the divine (white) rebirth and preparation for
ones spirituality (the lavender).

3. Ostara - {Vernal Equinox}
Around March 20th

American and Celtic traditions ~ Ostara

Caledonii traditions ~ Alban Eiler

This festival celebrates the warrior aspect of
the God and the Goddess as the Maiden. It occurs in the middle of March
when the length of day is equal to the length of night. It is a time of
balance, the official end of winter and beginning of winter. The second
of the fertility festivals, Ostara represents the seeding and
preparation for the remainder of the year.

The season is celebrated by blessing seeds for
future plantings. Eggs are colored and placed on an alter as magical
talismans. The "Easter Bunny" and "Easter Baskets" are both variations
of this Pagan festival. The Bunny represents abundance of planting yet
to come and the baskets are used to gather the new spring flowers,
another representation of fertility. After all, blossoms are a
culmination of combining masculine pollen with feminine pollen. What a
better representation of fertility.

The season is also represented by light green,
lemon yellow and pale pink. The beginning colors of maturing plants and
flowers. Twisted bread and sweet cakes are prepared and served at dusk
to represent the abundance of planting for the new harvest.

4. Bealtaine
May 1st or 5th

American traditions ~ Beltane or Beltaine

Celtic traditions ~ Bealtaine

Caledonii traditions ~ Bealtinne

Mexican Craft traditions ~ Rudemas

Strega traditions ~ Festival of Tana

Teutonic traditions ~ Walburga

Also known as Mayday, Bealtaine is the last of
the 3 spring fertility holidays. While Mayday is traditionally
celebrated on May 1st, where Bealtaine is celebrated any where between
May 1st and May 5th. Symbolized in the May pole.

This holiday represents the time when people,
plants and animals prepare for the summer months. The time of love, and
union. Specifically the union of the Lord and Lady, or the God/Goddess.
It is a time of joining two halves to make a single whole, the 3rd
entity. Could this be a sign of the spiritual trinity?

The season is represented by bright blue,
lavender, pink, yellow and white. Ribbons around a favorite tree in
your yard, or a wreath for your door using flowers for the seasons
colors and ribbons to show off their natural beauty is a great
addition.

The ceremony for the day can begin at sunrise
with freshly picked flowers. Drop a few in a large white bowl to float
around a couple white floating candles. Decorate your mantle with
greens and pedals. At the end of the day, take the pedals from the
ceremonial decorations and place them around the house for protection.

5. Midsummer - {Summer Solstice}
Around June 20th

American and Celtic traditions ~ Midsummer
festival

Caledonii traditions ~ Alban Hefin

Pecti-Wita traditions ~ Feill-Sheathain

Also known as 'Midsummer Night's Eve', it is
the longest day of the year. The Midsummer festival celebrates the
kingly aspect of the God. It is a festival of passion and glory, a time
to merge and commune with nature, sprites and fairies. In the Celtic
traditions it is also a celebration of the Mother Goddess who is seen
heavy with child, ready to deliver the fruits of the season so to
speak.

Colors of red and maize yellow and gold are
excellent decorations representing the Sun God, the masculine aspects
of the season. Sunflowers and sunflower seeds are also excellent
examples (provided you've planted them in early spring). Or replace the
early spring wreath on your door with a new summer decoration of red
feathers for for sexuality and yellow feathers for prosperity,
intertwined or braided with ivy. Alter candles should be of gold and
red.

Money tree plans can be added to your mantle
decorations for monetary wealth, (providing you once again have had an
early planting season).

6. Lughnasadh
August 1 to 2

American traditions ~ Lammas

Celtic tradition ~ Lughnasadh

Strega traditions ~ Corucopia

Teutonic traditions ~ Thingtide

The first of the harvest festivals, Lammas is
recognized on August 2nd. The Celtic festival, Lughnasadh, is
celebrated on August 7th in honor of the Sun God. It is the beginning
of the harvest season and begins when the early plantings are ready to
be picked. The spring grains, early fruits and vegetables are picked as
part of this ritual.

Bread is baked for this holiday, as well as, a
bounty of fruits and garden vegetables, set in an organization of color
from white, yellow, red, green, blue and finally black. Set your alter
accordingly with your favorite harvest, in a circle on a platter of
your choice. We've found silver to be one of the better metals to use
for these festivals, not just because of it's own beauty, but also
because it reflects the color of the bounties' natural beauty. Where as
the reflection of gold or brass can alter the natural color.

Canning should be a big part of this festival,
preparing your home for fall. Use this wonderful energy to harvest your
magikal herbs and empower them as part of your ritual.

7. Mabon - {Autumn Equinox}
Around September 23rd

American tradition ~ Autumn Equinox

Caledonii tradition ~ Alban Elfed

Celtic tradition ~ Mabon

Teutonic tradition ~ Winter Finding

Winter Finding spans from the Equinox until
Winter Night on October 15, which is the Norse New Year. And the
Caledonii recognizes this time as the festival for the Lord of
Mysteries.

The 2nd of the harvest festivals, this is the
second time of the year to specifically commune with nature. The
earlier festival in the Summer Solstice looks toward the summer or warm
portions of nature. Where the autumn equinox focuses on the cooler
aspects.

The festival is represented by the harvest of
corn, along with the other products in your garden that are ready to be
harvested. To celebrate Mabon, corn and corn bread are served, along
with cider and sweet potatoes (yams). Don't forget to harvest the last
of your herbs and other plants that will need to dry for winter use.

This festival is represented by brown, orange,
gold and red. The wonderful colors for those turning leaves. You can
paraffin those leaves and add them to your decorations. Just dip the
leaves in melted paraffin and put them on wax paper to dry. Place them
around your alter, or in a jar decorated with your special sigil for
protection.

Candles in the festival colors can be placed
around your table, and alter to ring in the season and celebrate the
bounty of the harvest. River and stream stones can also be included
into your festival and energized for a variety of magikal purposes.

8. Samhain - The Pagan New Year

American traditions ~ Samhain - November
1st

Celtic traditions ~ Samhain - November 7th

Scottish/Celts traditions ~ Martinmas or
Old Hallowmas - November 11th

Strega traditions ~ Shadowfest

The Pagan New Year represents the complete
circle of the seasons and is the last of the three harvest Sabbats.
Although the traditions celebrate Samhain on different days, they are
the same festival with the same celebration and intent.

It is a festival of thanks and gratitude for
the year past. A time to look back at the lessons you learned, the
spiritual evolution you traversed and the special unions you made. A
time to thank the God/Goddess for the bounty you received and shared.

Represented by black candles to ward off
negativity, gold to recognize the Sun God essence and orange to
represent the joining of the higher and lower forces within and
without.

On the night of Samhain the veil between the
spiritual world and the physical world is at it's thinnest. Therefore
many will conduct rituals to honor the dead or those they lost during
the past year. Many practioners believe this is the best time to
communicate with those they lost or wish to converse with on the other
side. Divination is especially heightened on this night, but extra
caution for positive forces should also be heeded.

Jack-o-lanterns, gourds, cider and other
"Halloween"esque items can be used to decorate your home. Along with
large golden-yellow mums in and about the house.

It is also a good time to buy a new broom,
change the wardrobe, the curtains and colors in your home.

Quarters & Cross Quarters

Each Sabbat is divided into the Quarters and
Cross-quarter ceremonies.

Quarter ceremonies

Samhain the Pagan New Year Festival

Imbolg

Bealtaine

Lughnasadh

Cross Quarter ceremonies.

Yule begins on the Winter Solstice

Ostara on the Spring Equinox

Mid-Summer Festival or the Summer Solstice Festival

Mabon on the Fall Equinox

Not all practioners chose to practice their
craft on these special holidays. But rather chose to honor the festival
and rest during the day. Conducting special rituals as part of their
gratitude and preparation. Other practioners chose to use the energy of
these holidays to include some special magikal needs for family or
friends. Neither way is right or wrong, but rather a simple matter of
choice and tradition.